Royal S.O.B. (A Bad Boy Romance) by Kaitlyn Kevette Page A

trying to be a crusader or something?"

"No way."

 
    "Don't
forget, you're now part of the same royalty that you criticize so much."

 
    "So?"

 
    "So
nothing. Just don't come across as a hypocrite."

 
    Cate
had a point.

 
    "All
right, point noted."

 
    "You
also have protocols to worry about... Maybe you should check with your
mum."

 
    "Mum?
I haven't seen her in ages."

 
    "Why,
don't you meet each other at least once a day?"

 
    "No."

 
    Addie
was silent for a while.

 
    "See,
this is what I mean."

 
    "Yeah
but Addie, you can't expect to live your former life now. Things have changed
drastically."

 
    "Yes,"
said Addie, thoughtful.

 
    "Things
have changed."

 
    "Anyway,
all I'm saying is, be careful. You can't be footloose and fancy free like
before."

 
    "Why,
is that a privilege of only the menfolk in the royal family?"

 
    She
was referring to her new wild stepbrother, Kenrick, of course.

 
    Cate
laughed.

 
    "I
know what you mean," she said, deftly steering Addie clear of that
sensitive topic.

 
    "I
think your governess might be a good bet. Get her view on this."

 
    "Good
idea," agreed Addie.

 
    "I
will talk to her and let you know what she feels."

 
    "Do
it quick. You have just a day."

 
    "Okay."

 
    Addie
hung up.

 
 
    *****

 
 
    The
princess waited for the afternoon. That was when Mrs. Bradford was relatively
free, finishing her quotidian chores.

 
    "Mrs.
Bradford, Beverly," she called her governess.

 
    "Would
you please come and sit with me for a moment."

 
    The
old lady knew that this was something critical. The request to sit next to
Princess Adelaide meant an important question was coming her way.

 
    "Yes,
my sweet."

 
    She
sat in the chair at her table without protesting like last time. She was
learning the ways of this down-to-earth, simple, princess-next-door.

 
    "Mrs.
Bradford, a question as usual," said Addie.

 
    "Yes,
my child."

 
    "Do
you think… it's okay to speak against royalty?"

 
    "For
you, my child?"

 
    "Yes."

 
    "No."

 
    "Why,
are there any protocols to that effect?"

 
    "Yes."

 
    "Oh."

 
    "Also,
in your case," the governess cleared her throat.
    "You're
not a born royal. You were chosen from millions of commoners to become a royal
– which adds even more responsibility."

 
    "Oh."

 
    "The
royal family expects you to be obedient, faithful and loyal. It is included in
the covenant you signed when assuming the title of Your Royal Highness, and
when you became Princess Adelaide."

 
    "Oh."

 
    Mrs.
Bradford stayed silent, having answered Addie's question comprehensively. It
was not of her business to ask why or to know what it was the princess was
planning. If the princess opened up on her own accord, finding Mrs. Bradford to
be a worthy confidant, that was a different matter entirely.

 
    "I
wanted to read out a poem for my university's Annual Day," Addie opened up
of her own accord.

 
    "It
is, in places, rather critical of royalty."
     
    "I
understand," said Mrs. Bradford, appreciating Addie's gesture.

 
    Adelaide
was quiet, lost in her thoughts.

 
    "Is
it about a particular royal personage?" the governess asked.

 
    The
recent visitor to Addie's chambers was at the top of her mind.

 
    "No,"
answered Addie.

 
    "It's
on royalty in general. And the chasm between them and their subjects. Because I
feel strongly about it. I've always thought that they live on another
planet."

 
    "Okay."

 
    "Would
you like to read it, Mrs. Bradford?" asked Addie, reaching for her leather
folder.

 
    "If
you want me to, my child."

 
    The
old woman was guarded as always.

 
    "Oh
Beverly," Addie was almost heartbroken.

 
    "Please
don't talk like that. You still treat me like an outsider."

 
    "My
dear," her governess's eyes were moist.

 
    "Affection
is one thing, duty is another. And there's a fine line between the two."

 
    That
was so profound, Addie wanted